Nursing Jobs in San Jose, CA: Overview
Most people don't know it, but San Jose, CA, is one of the largest cities in the country. Sometimes called the Capital of Silicon Valley (although Palo Alto and Mountain View would like a word), San Jose is the largest metro area in the Santa Clara Valley, now known more for tech than apricots and almonds. Part of the nine Bay Area counties, San Jose is located in Santa Clara County and boasts the great weather, innovative mindset, food scene, natural beauty, and crazy housing prices that the rest of the Valley does.
If you're looking for full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem nursing jobs in San Jose, CA, you've come to the right place. Here is more about what this area has to offer nursing professionals both on and off the job.
Facts About Nursing Jobs: San Jose
- Is California a compact state? No. Nurses in California must be licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Learn more about general rules and regulations in our article about the California Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses make in San Jose? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in San Jose by license/certification:
- NP salary in San Jose: $191,250
- RN salary in San Jose: $170,780
- LVN salary in San Jose: $87,180
- CNA salary in San Jose: $55,580
- Where can I find information about becoming a licensed RN in California? Explore our article that details how to become an RN in California. If your license is set to expire, our guide to California nursing license renewals can help.
What to Know About and Where to Look for Nursing Jobs in San Jose, CA
Nearly 970,000 people live in San Jose. Since all those residents need healthcare, there are many opportunities for you to find great nursing jobs. San Jose employers are hiring for a variety of roles including:
- CRNA jobs in San Jose, CA
- CNM jobs in San Jose, CA
- Nurse practitioner jobs in San Jose, CA
- RN jobs in San Jose, CA
- LVN jobs in San Jose, CA
- CNA jobs in San Jose, CA
- Surgical tech jobs in San Jose, CA
- CMA jobs in San Jose, CA
- Medication aide jobs in San Jose, CA
- Home health aide jobs in San Jose, CA
- Caregiver jobs in San Jose, CA
- Student nurse jobs in San Jose, CA
San Jose has a median age of 37.5. People ages 65 and older make up 14% of the population; people under 18 make up 21%.
Part of the most diverse state in the country, San Jose also boasts a varied population, with particularly large Asian and Hispanic communities. Approximately 39% of residents are Asian; 31% are Hispanic or Latino; 29% are White; 14% are two or more races; and 3% are Black. Your cultural competence will be exercised in this city, as will any language skills you bring to the table — nearly 60% of households in San Jose speak a language other than English at home.
Working in San Jose: Nursing Jobs and More
San Jose options for work are as diverse as the city. The major industries in San Jose include tech, professional, scientific and tech services, manufacturing, healthcare, and social assistance. Biotech companies abound in Silicon Valley, offering some non-traditional options for nursing jobs in San Jose and the surrounding area.
Some of the top employers in San Jose are the expected tech giants like Google, Cisco, PayPal, and Adobe, but there are also clinics, hospitals, and other massive healthcare companies and systems in the area. Explore the latest positions at some of these employers:
- APPNA Clinic
- El Camino Hospital
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Kaiser Permanente
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
- Regional Medical Center of San Jose (part of HCA Healthcare)
- Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
- Stanford Health Care
- Sutter Health
Living in San Jose
Getting to nursing jobs in San Jose, CA, might be a challenge, as you'll spend about a half an hour each way in the car heading to work with more than 75% of your neighbors. Mass transit is also available, with Caltrain zooming up and down the region from San Jose all the way to San Francisco. There is also a fairly extensive bus system and light rail (part of the Valley Transit Authority) as well as the wide freeways and expressways Californians count on.
The good news is that you can drive to work with the windows open or the top down most of the year. With the warm season almost twice as long as the cool one, summer-like temperatures average above 78 degrees, giving San Jose that mild and appealing feel California is known for.
San Jose is a city of neighborhoods (including one of the few Japantowns in the U.S.), with the patchwork forming a surprising whole. The food scene is as diverse as the population. With bountiful options from the familiar Mexican and Asian to less common Portuguese, Guatemalan, and Ethiopian cuisines, San Jose restaurants have a lot to offer those who love to dine out. If burning off that great food in the outdoors is important to your lifestyle, the usual California combo of great hikes, beaches, and access to outstanding skiing are all within reach.
If you feel like pumping your off-time up a notch, the amazing city of San Francisco and all its attractions are an easy drive up the 101 or the scenic 280 highways. San Francisco is well-known for dining, but also features shopping, museums, open spaces, and, yes, a pretty nice bridge. Other famous getaways just hours from San Jose include the wine region of Napa Valley, and charming Carmel-by-the-Sea.
But, like the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area, another day in paradise comes with a general cost of living that's 79% higher than the national average. Luckily, you'll find that the average salary in San Jose (for all jobs) is higher than the national average.
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